Disquietude of My Heart

Chapter 21

                  Mehek smiled at Shaurya and pretended to take a sip of her mocktail. They were attending an evening party arranged by resort. Mehek was now used to the taste of the substance that Shaurya mixes in her drinks. Contrary to her suspicion, it was not a drug that could knock her out or make her vulnerable. To be precise, it never had any ill effect of Mehek. She was still figuring out his intentions of tricking her into consuming it. Except for the slightly strange taste, it was hard to identify that anything was added to her drinks. The sweetness of the drinks usually masked it's taste tactfully. But when Mehek started to make a conscious effort, she was able to identify it and avoid consuming it when Shaurya was not paying attention. "You still haven't finished your drink. Don't you like it?", he asked cautiously. "I was about to", she replied calmly. "Finish and let's go for a dance", he offered. Mehek nodded and when he was not looking, threw the contents away. She pretended to have finished it in a go. "That was quick", he exclaimed. "I love this song", she lied and pulled him to dance floor.

They were dancing to tune and suddenly a romantic piece started to play. All couples swayed to it, Shaurya and Mehek were no exception. He pulled her closer by her waist while she snaked her hands around his neck. "I missed you, Mehek", he told hoarsely. Despite her wrath and disappointment, she was touched, "I miss my Shaurya too". The fact that she used present tense made him realise that she was referring to his old self and still not forgiven him. "I am ashamed for my atrocious behaviour. There is a reason but still it doesn't justify my deeds", he sounded earnest. Reason is your egoist anger, Alpha, her mind screamed but she remained silent. "I know it is in vain to seek forgiveness. But can't you give me a last chance. What will it take to convince you?", he asked. Mehek's eyes twinkled with delight as she waiting for an apt opportunity. She carefully kept her excitement down. She asked timidly,  " Will you let me meet my mother?". To her utter delight, he agreed immediately.

"We need to start early morning and have to walk a long mile. So attire yourself accordingly", he told her when they came back to their room. Mehek nodded softly but her happiness knew no bound. While she went to change for night, she wanted to contact DK but couldn't since she had no phone. Yet she was determined that she will be able to contact her father once she meets her mother. While brushing her teeth, Mehek felt uneasy and a bit feverish. She shrugged it off and rebuked herself not to fall weak. If Shaurya perceives a faint hint of illness, he may use it an excuse to delay her visit. She acted tough and went to sleep with a better frame of mind.

Mehek was all set to meet her mother. Early morning itself, she got ready in an attire that suits for a long trek. Shaurya didn't give actual location but Mehek understood that her mother was kept captive in an area not too far away. "We have to pass through a no wolf's land", Shaurya informed her. Mehek was unable to comprehend. "It may be pointless for humans but no wolf's land is dangerous for any wolf who belongs to a pack. Rogues are frequent here since it isn't part of any pack territories. They are dangerous and easily provoked. So we need to be cautious and quickly pass through it", he explained, "if situation turns messy then run to save yourself. They will always target an Alpha first when compared to a human". Mehek gulped hard still nodded. A strange uneasiness emerged from her pit of her stomach but she pushed it down. 

"What do we have here? ", a wicked voice startled Mehek and Shaurya. They had covered good distance in less time until they came across few hooligans. A couple of bare chested ruffians came out from their hiding while Shaurya pushed Mehek behind him to protect. "An Alpha and a juicy human", they laughed while Shaurya stood in stance to fight. Mehek understood that they were wolves; Rogues. "Run", Shaurya commanded Mehek who gazed at him in surprise. "RUN", he yelled at her, making her shiver in fear and she dashed out with all energy. She didn't know in which direction she ran or how long she had been on run. All she could remember was witnessing Shaurya and those villains turning into huge wolves and lunging on one another. 

Finally Mehek found an abandoned barn and sought refuge in it. Dust and cobwebs indicated that none had used it for long. She hid in a corner and pulled her knees closer. She bit down her palms to silence her sobs. She prayed that Shaurya is still safe and rogues failed to track her. Her temperature rose and pain started to emanate from her core. But she promised herself not to fall weak and fight for herself. But all bravery went down the drain when unguarded door of the barn got forcefully opened. She hid herself in corner and tried to subdue sounds of her breathing. "Mehek", a faint voice addressed her and she recognized he is Shaurya.

"Shaurya", she wailed and ran to his side. He appeared wounded and his hands tried to stop his bleeding. His cloths were tattered and stained with blood. For a moment, Mehek forgot about her pain and led him to safety. "What happened to you? Oh my God, you are bleeding", she cried out and looked around for anything that could help her to nurse his wounds but was unsuccessful. "Mehek, relax. Don't worry about me. I will heal in few hours", Shaurya asked weakly. It was evident that rogue attack had made him weak and he was struggling to keep pain at bay.She tried to help him but winced and crouched when a wave of pain shot through her. "What happened? Are you hurt?", he asked her. Mehek was touched by his concern. "I am okay, Shaurya. Just a shooting pain...", she left her words incomplete. She knew the symptoms as she had experienced it before. She is on heat

"How can you go in heat?", Shaurya was astonished,"It is impossible". Mehek was taken aback, Wasn't he waiting for it? Why does he look shocked? Is it one of his tricks?. Mehek felt angry by his act. "I believe we crossed the point where your innocent acts used to move me", she taunted him. He winced in pain while holding his wound, "I have been secretly feeding you a medicine to stall your heat". "You mean maiden flower", her eyes widened in shock. Shaurya was surprised that she knew about Maiden flower. He went on, "It beats me how you are still on heat. Unless Vivaan got cheated and brought me some fake powder after spending a fortune on it". Mehek shivered in fear. She realised that Shaurya had been mixing extracts of Maiden flower into her drinks and she had been throwing it out. Her folly had cost her dearly. She crouched again as another wave of pain went through her.

Finally, Mehek is on heat. Any predictions ? What do you think will happen now? 😁